BroadcastChic Excellent, a Must See

Micah Lloyd Excellent characters with emotional depth. My wife, daughter and granddaughter all enjoyed it...and me, too! Very good movie! You won't be disappointed.

Yash Wade Close shines in drama with strong language, adult themes.

Hattie I didn’t really have many expectations going into the movie (good or bad), but I actually really enjoyed it. I really liked the characters and the banter between them.

christopher-underwood I realise Ichi hardcore fans were disappointed with this short animated feature that depicts the killer's early years, but I rather enjoyed it. Purists are unhappy with the dollops of SM orientated sex that peppers the film and whilst I can understand that I rather liked the links made with the sex and violence. It may come over a little pat here but it is rare enough that the link is even touched on in most mafia/yakuza movies, when the link is surely undeniable. Some have also criticised the muddy and occasionally ugly animation, but again all seemed well suited to the subject matter. I liked the domestic scenes and the inevitable references to school qualifications and bullying and overall thought that a very decent job had been done. I see no sign of a sequel that would take us into the same time frame as the original live action film and this presumably reflects that not everyone felt as well disposed to this as I.

OUKnight99 *Minor Spoilers Herein*This Japanese Anime begins during Kekihara and Ichi's duel from the film Ichi the Killer (Although i have a feeling that this is drawn in a way that is more similar to the Ichi the Killer Manga than the film...) before flashing back to explain how it was that Ichi became a killer.The story itself begins interesting enough, but the excessive use of nudity (Ichi's parents are big into S&M, as is apparently everyone in Ichi and Kekihara's world) and bizarre cell shading techniques gives this anime an almost childish feeling. The story comes across as rather forced and unrealistic (not unrealistic in the same way that the film was) with Ichi growing up in a school that is more like a prison, coming home to listen to the moans of his parents next door. The low budget is what really hurts this film,and more focus on actual story substance, rather than trying to 'shocking' would have helped this prequel. It's okay, and if you've seen Ichi the Killer you'll have to see this, but i expected a lot more. Hopefully more Ichi the Killer animation (with a bigger) budget will be released. Let's just hope it's better written and better directed.

lunarsong I saw this anime as an add on to the sensory overload that was ichi the killer. I have to say i did not like the anime. As well as i believe it has been done it seems like just another way of squeezing another drop of crimson fluid from a franchise that is already swimming in it.The takeshi miike voiced kakihara is just not even worth mentioning as he hardly even manages any lines. The same set of animation occurs several times in the cartoon which isnt a good sign as the animation is only 45 minutes long.the dub is in an english accent which means no self respecting fan of the live action could sit through it. A must see for ichi fans but a must not buy.

jsangspar Koroshiya-1, Ichi the Killer, is a great movie; probably among the best, most vibrant and entertaining movies ever made. It's serious, and takes itself seriously- as it should.This terrible release does not. It takes Ichi's story and essentially adds parts that don't exist in either the manga or the film for entertainment value- there are several pointless sex scenes (such as Ichi's parents engaging in S&M), and the entire thing is melodramatic and absolutely horrible. This is amateur writing at best- it's like something a high-school student would write in an attempt to shock; the cause-and-effect relationships are basic and tenuous at best.Technically, the animation and art is among the worst I've ever seen; ugly characters with absolutely broken anatomy and about three frames of movement each. I watch a lot of anime; the problem is not the style, but this release in particular. The music is perhaps suitable, but still dull; nothing like the film's wonderful primal sounds.As it's mostly unwatchable and physically painful to sit through, I gave it a 2- some very minor redeeming values (like the novelty of Miike being Kakihara's voice- pretty neat), but as a whole, completely worthless.